Gang life (Book 1)

Chapter 25

Adeline Santiago's POV

I sit there completely frozen, staring at my supposedly 'dead' brother.

My father has some explaining to do...

"Is that what the old man told you?" He asks shaking his head.

All of the rest of the gang have left us alone for a bit so that we can talk.

I see something flash through Jerome's eyes.

Hurt?

He stretches out his arms.

"What, no hug for me?" He asks.

I immediately get up and run into his arms.

His arms envelope around me and I take in his foreign scent.

I start to cry, sobs raking through my body.

He holds me at arm's length and holds my face, using his thumbs to dry my face.

"What did I tell you about crying?" He asks and I immediately dry my face quickly with my hands.

"It makes you weak" I say, robotically.

"And...?" He asks.

"The weak don't survive" I say.

"Good" he tells me.

He steps back to look at me.

"You're... You're not a little girl anymore..." He says, his face softening.

I shake my head and hold back more tears.

"You're not a skinny little prick anymore" I respond, laughing.

And I am right.

He has grown up a lot in the past decade. He has grown taller and has quite an impressive build.

He looks like he has matured so much and I can't believe that he is here!

Now!

"So, what actually happened?" I ask curiously.

"That is a story for another day" he sighs and I nod, understandingly.

"Ok, but we have to catch up on this" I say.

"Explain to me why there is blood on your jacket?" He asks eyeing me up and down.

"Long story" I chuckle and he looks at me as if I have lost it.

"So are you part of the Golden Phoenix?" He asks.

I nod.

"Yes, I am" I say confidently.

He grins.

"How did that happen?" He asks.

I look away shyly.